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Watch it if you have doubts about Yang Yang's acting

Completed - 4/29/2022 - 9.25 rating
(minor spoilers at the end of the review)

“The Glory of Special Forces” is one of the few realistic military dramas and it follows the character and career development of a young, self-centered, genius soldier, to become an outstanding team captain of the Special Forces. Just reading the synopsis, it seems like any other military story. But this drama excels in its amazing acting performance by everyone, esp. Yang Yang, and the high production value and realistic portrayal of the military. It’s not a perfect drama for me, because I have mixed feelings about the last 5 episodes which I will discuss at the end of the review with minor spoilers.

What I Enjoy:

Yang Yang - If it wasn't for Yang Yang, I would not have watched this drama. I have seen my fair share of YY dramas. He melted my heart in “Love O2O” and “You are my Glory” as the amazing boyfriend. I’ve also enjoyed his cool, calm and collected personality in “The Four” and finally a funnier side of him in “The King’s Avatar”. I understand others questioning his acting. But if you are in doubt, please watch this drama. Yang Yang is AMAZING in “The Glory of Special Forces”. You can see his usual, calm and cool self, and also the pain he endured when battling the demons of a traumatic incident, losses in life and the confusion of why doing his best is just not enough. You don’t see the idol Yang Yang anymore. I see a soldier struggling to be the best, learning to believe in his teammates and being a proud member of the Special Forces.

Plot/Pacing - The pacing of this drama is excellent. Each episode is packed with action and thrilling events. 45 episodes flew by just like that. There are many mini-climaxes throughout the drama that keeps me entertained. As we follow the character and career development of Yan Po Yue (ML), I am happy to see that there’s enough progress and setbacks. The drama also deals with PTSD after a soldier’s first killing, the death of a comrade, and survivor’s guilt. Each character’s background story is compelling and different, so you get to understand what it takes for young men and women to enter and stay in the military. I do have a few criticisms about the plot which I’ll discuss later on.

Acting/Supporting Cast/Training - There is no weak link in the supporting cast. The overall acting is amazing. I am sure this is not the only military drama where actors have to train off and on camera. But through this drama, you appreciate the actors dedication to their craft and the effort they put into making every scene believable. They walk, talk, march, salute, just like a regular soldier. For most of the drama, each soldier is in armor training or completing missions. Only a very small part of the drama is when they are just hanging out and chatting. Moreover, even the teen version of the main characters look like the adults! Good casting!

Guo Xiao Xiao - I want to single out the only female main character, Guo Xiao Xiao, played by Jiang Lu Xia. GXX is such a cool and badass sniper/soldier. I realized that Jiang Lu Xia is a martial artist and it really shows. Most of the time, actresses portrayed as soldiers still don’t act soldier-like. But not GXX. Her training, missions, and fights are so realistic that could put some male actors to shame. I also really enjoy her backstory and really sympathize with her character. I am also glad she remains a good team member/comrade. No love story. Just plain friendship.

Production Value/Fight Scenes - Not sure if the drama is sponsored by the government, but to my untrained eyes, this is one of the most realistic military dramas I’ve watched. I also recently watched “Operation: Special Warfare”, which I enjoyed, but comparatively, “The Glory of Special Forces” is definitely a more realistic portrayal. On another note, I really enjoyed all the physical fight scenes, and there are quite a few in this drama. They are hardcore fights which seemed to be shot in one frame (not piece together fake fights with wide angle shots). I like the fights here more than in some wuxia dramas. Nothing seems cheap - from settings, equipment, uniform, training and missions locations.


What I have Mixed feelings about (Minor spoilers)

I think the drama might be better off ending at episode 40 when the drug cartel storyline ended. That was one big, explosive mission and was so exciting. However, the drama continues with sending the Special Forces to the academy to be trained as leaders. I understand this is the next step of career advancement. However, after the initial reluctance and dissatisfaction to learn about new military technological advances and the importance of languages, the drama does not show us how the Special Forces eventually realize and accept all these important lessons. They are quickly sent off to the international competition. The competition should be the perfect setting for the crew to appreciate lessons learned in the academy. The episodes in the academy went completely lost and went down the drain. The only thing it did is to send one soldier home, and to introduce another elite team. Oh, and also to let Li Yi Tong to show up on screen again. I read that the drama was cut short due to censorship, and I wonder if that was why those last 5 episodes felt a little off.

In these 45 episodes, most of the time was spent on training and competitions. There are actually 2 real-life missions. One about a drug dealer in the village and the big drug cartel mission. I would have loved to see more real-life missions. Maybe those were cut as well when the episode count was reduced?


Other Observations:
1. No, there is no romance and it’s not needed. This is from someone who LOVES romance. There’s enough going on to keep me entertained.
2. Yes, there are many handsome men in uniform. Eye candies galore! LOL
3. There are few songs that complement the drama well and not overplayed.
4. Don’t watch this for Li Yi Tong. She has a small role and is definitely not the female lead.
5. I do find it annoying that Leng Jing kept on mentioning Guo Xiao Xiao is a female soldier when GXX doesn’t care.
6. I know they are Special Forces, but sometimes I feel that they need more people in the team to fight against the drug cartels.
7. All soldiers recover quite quickly from the injuries
8. They must have super, duper, powerful bulletproof vest.

Overall, this is an amazing drama. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought. If you are a fan of Yang Yang, this is a must-see! If you have doubts about Yang Yang’s acting, please watch this as well.

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The Bachelor + The Hunger Games = The hilarious and fun Ready, Set, Love

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

My first impression of “Ready, Set, Love” is BRIGHT! The colors are so vibrant and it feels so cartoonish! This is the perfect drama to watch if you want something light, a little over-the-top and hilarious!! Is it the best drama out there? Definitely not! But it brings me joy when I need some lightheartedness in my daily life. It feels like a live action adaptation of an anime.

The plot is nothing unique and is actually quite predictable. I would describe this as a combo of the American reality TV show, “The Bachelor” plus the movie, “The Hunger Games”. We have women competing for the love and attention of 5 eligible bachelors aka Gentlemen. The ladies are thrown into ridiculous games to beat out each other, in order to win the chance to choose one of the 5 gentlemen they want to marry. Additionally, in this dystopian world, you can’t really escape the political commentary of this supposedly perfect world inside The Farm.

I really enjoy the competition part of the drama including all the hilarious characters from the Gentlemen, Ladies to the commentators. If you don’t mind over dramatic acting, this is perfect. The romance is not bad, just not quite enough for my taste. The couples are cute, but I wanted more fluffy scenes. I do appreciate the inclusion of a lesbian couple and a gay couple (just not enough screen time). On the other hand, I like the portrayal of sisterhoods between FL and her sister, and 2FL and her BFF. With only 6 episodes, the political plot and commentary might be the weaker part of the story. It’s no surprise they included this in the drama, but there is just not enough time to develop and write a satisfactory ending to that. Everything seems too easily resolved, and I was never worried that things would turn out badly for them. You can probably see from a mile away how the drama is going to end.

Nevertheless, I had a lovely time watching this. I will recommend this if you are looking for some over-the-top fun with decent acting and chemistry, a good-looking male cast (especially one who wants to show off his abs at any given chance) in very vibrant HDR colors but am OK with a simple plot.


Completed: 3/15/2024 - Review #418

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Cute and comfortable romance....but not enough time to go deep on other issues

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75 (coz I want something simple)
Objective Rating: 7.0-7.5

“Dream to You” suffers from trying to do too much with only 12 episodes. However, if you are looking for something fast-paced, easy and cute, then this could be a very enjoyable watch. Even if you run to the kitchen to get a snack, you can come back and not miss anything important.

Having said that, I was looking for something light and easy in between my other dramas. The leads have decent chemistry and I like the two actors. I think they did a respectable job. I did laugh out loud at a few scenes and grinned like a silly girl when I saw Hwang In Youp’s smile. Their dynamic is fun and the romance is pretty fun for the most part. As characters, I like Ju I Jae (FL) and Woo Su Bin (ML). It did take a few episodes to get into I Jae’s personality but I have grown to really like her. She shines brightly despite all that she went through. When you are used to eating carrots despite not liking them, life has taken a toll on you, even when you have the choice to not eat carrots anymore. I like her strength, her tenacity and continued persistence to achieve her dream. Woo Su Bin has his ups and downs as a love interest. He comes on so strong that at times feels selfish (but not in a mean way). He’s grown throughout this relationship. One thing I really like is that both of them can act silly and childish with each other, but remain very professional at work.

However, as I mentioned, this drama is trying to do too much. It touches on a few important issues, such as family relations/dynamics, birth secrets, industry manipulation, abuse and assault, illness. Each of these really deserves more attention and development. There’s just not enough time for all of that. Additionally, you try to cram 3 romantic pairs in this drama, and something has got to give.

The secondary couple is cute but I wanted more. At least their professions allow them to explore romance a little further, but still not enough. The third couple could have potential in a more adult relationship. But then end up being an afterthought with bare minimal screen time. The dating reality show could be a great tool to develop the romance, but, of course we have no time for that.

I would only recommend it if you are looking for a drama to pass time and a quick watch. If you are a romance lover and only focus on the main romance, it might satisfy you. Fans of the leads should watch this as they are both lovable and cute and good-looking, while acting and chemistry aren’t bad. But if you are looking for a well-written and well-developed storyline, you might be disappointed. Based on my enjoyment level and that it satisfies what I am looking for, it deserves a 7.75. But judging objectively on the drama itself, probably a 7.0-7.5


Drama Completed: 8/22/2026 Review #716

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Romance and Healing drama set in the land of war and bad English.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

As part of IQiyi’s Love On series, the focus of the drama has to be more than just about soldiers, war and killing. Romance has to play a big part of the story, at least 50%. If the romance sucks, I will not be able to give this drama a high rating. Luckily, I enjoy the main romance for the most part.

Romance:
Let’s start with the negatives: slowness! And I am not talking about just the pacing of the romance, but how slow the leads talk and move. Why are they talking so slowly? Is it supposed to be romantic? This is my biggest problem with the romance! LOL. Additionally, I was losing a tiny little patience during their initial flirting/getting-to-know-each-other stage. It’s very obvious that they like each other but it took them so long to confess. Why are they acting like shy high school kids when they are 30-year-old professionals? Why is FL acting like a lovesick girl always following ML around? Having said all that, I do like their flirting, their shy smiles and many cute and fluffy scenes. As a reward for my patience, the cute couple does deliver sweetness and fluffiness to offset the sad parts of the drama. I like the quiet stubbornness and strength inside them, and their unwavering loyalty and love for each other. I know others are less patient with their lack of open communication but I am actually OK with it. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are central to this story. It takes years for someone to be healed, so for them to hide that part of themselves, I do find that acceptable. Therefore, it was actually very satisfying to see them slowly open up to each other and let the other into their misery a little bit at a time. I especially enjoy their confrontation during the school bully arc. At first, that arc seems out of place, but it became the catalyst of them revealing their pain. I was worried about their ending as I’ve read some comments. In the end, I am at peace and am OK with it. I was preparing for the worst.

Careers:
I admit I am not familiar with volunteering in the capacity that ML is doing. Therefore, I find it hard to imagine that a volunteer can be so involved in military decisions and operations. Sure, they must have gone through a background check, but military business is no joke. You can’t have civilians doing what ML is doing. On the other hand, as a reporter, FL is not reporting much. Sure, it showed a little of her work during the initial episodes. But for the most part, she’s just tagging along and going on ‘dates’. I wanted to see more reporting, e.g. in episode 1, or more interviews and articles, and not just Weibo/WeChat moment posts. There’s so much more the drama can include FL’s career into the plot in a more meaningful and realistic way.

East Country and Wars:
The writing in the East Country also has plot holes here and there. I still can’t believe FL not wearing her helmet during that dangerous scene in ep 1. I so wanted to yell through the TV screen and shake some sense in her lovesick brain. This is just me, the English spoken gives me a headache. Chen Zhe Yuan’s English is probably the best and most tolerable out of all actors (Chinese and foreigners). It’s so hard to take this seriously when you know for sure English is not the primary language, yet every single one speaks English. Compared to other disaster and war-themed dramas, the execution and budget are just OK. The acting of the minor roles, such as people from the East Country, isn’t that great and their acting takes me out of the serious scenes. Luckily, the main cast really delivered and I became invested again.

Brotherhood:
Yes, I can see why everyone said that the relationship between Ben and Sa Xin is more than just friends/comrades. Is censorship the problem? Did they intentionally try to bait us and frustrate us? I never read the novel, so I don’t know if they are more than friends in the book. Ben and Sa Xin do have some great and fun scenes together, but I might not be as in love with them as many others. On the other hand, I do enjoy this quiet and more mature bond between Ben and Li Zan. I would have loved it more if the drama actually gave us a little more scenes of them together. The earlier scenes are all about Li Zan and Jiang Lin. It makes it hard to believe that Ben and Li Zan already have developed as strong a bond as Li Zan and Jiang Lin.



I would recommend this drama for romance lovers who want war/healing/PTSD as a backdrop, but definitely not for those who want a serious and well-executed war-themed drama. I would also recommend this if you are fans of Chen Zhe Yuan and Liang Jie because their acting is really good. I am happy to see them move away from their usual rom-come selves, and try something more challenging. PTSD is not a topic commonly addressed in a romance drama, but I think “The White Olive Tree” did a good job in showing the reality of the suffering and healing process, especially with Chen Zhe Yuan’s excellent. The only other recent drama I recall that addresses PTSD was Yang Yang in “Glory of Special Forces”. Yang Yang, believe or not, also did an excellent job there. Despite my complaints, I enjoy the main romance and acting for the most part, and I like the OST. therefore, I am giving this an 8.25 rating.



Completed: 4/30/2025 - Review #571

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Advance Bravely because it's a Train Wreck with Hot Abs!

The warning is correct: Advance Bravely! After watching a couple episodes, I thought to myself, What the heck am I watching? Why am I watching this? I wonder if it’s because I was watching this drama in 2023 instead of 2017, that I just couldn’t enjoy it. Watching “Advance Bravely” is like watching a train wreck that I couldn’t look away. It’s so bad that it’s hilarious and addictive?

The only good thing about this drama is Jason Xu and his abs (but not his acting). He’s hot and I enjoy staring at him, just like most characters in the show. That’s the only positive thing I can think of. Oh, also, the action scenes are decent. If you like Gong Jun, you might like him and his skinny abs as well. If you are a fan of abs, there are many for your enjoyment.

However, the plot is weird. Why would you ask your brother to help you chase a guy that your brother doesn’t even know? Why would you kidnap and force someone to go through a medical procedure to ‘correct’ an embarrassing medical condition? Why is this sister so annoying and can’t take NO for an answer?

Additionally, we have a hot but stalkerish male lead, plus a childish and somewhat annoying male lead. I don’t really like any of the leads, so maybe that’s why I don’t feel the chemistry even with the extended long looks and slow motion scenes. The second and third couples also have a weird romance/relationship.

The ending is ridiculous and it definitely has to do with censorship and the lack of funding. But even if I ignore how censorship could ruin this drama, there are just too many other things that are wrong and inappropriate. This is a very weird drama that I don’t know how to appreciate.


Completed: 2/23/2023

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A Drama that sticks its landing and has one of the Best Last Episodes.

When a Japanese drama obtains an 8+ MDL rating, you know it’s a good one. “Unmet: A Neurosurgeon’s Diary” is a beautiful drama telling the story and the struggles of Miyabi, as she learns to be a neurosurgeon again after her accident. This is a feel good drama that heals your soul. Miyabi is surrounded by kind people who support her, encourage her and pick her up when she’s down.

There are many meaningful conversations, thoughtful silences but also laughter and delicious-looking food!. If you are looking for a true medical drama, this might not be for you. The medical cases all have to do with the brain, afterall, Miyabi is a neurosurgeon. Each case is completed within the episode, and they are ‘common’ enough that you feel like it can happen to your, your family or your friend. Personally, episodic cases like these are a hit-or-miss. Although I don’t find the medical cases especially fascinating, I do enjoy the storytelling of the patients and how the hospital staff approach each case and collaborate.

The acting performance of Sugisaki Hana (Miyabi) and Wakaba Ryuya (Sanpei) is top notch. They are not big talkers, but you understand what they want to convey through their expressive eyes and facial expressions. The supporting cast also did a pretty good job, and really gives us more color to the drama.

Plot wise, I feel that the drama can give us more info on the car accident. The ‘villain’ part of the story is resolved rather quickly and quite anti-climatically. The ‘redemption’ story of the doctor is also taken care of swiftly. Additionally, I would love to see more of Miyabi and Sanpei’s past.

The best part of this drama is in its last episode. I was crying my eyes out as I prayed for the leads to live happily ever after. Episode 11 cemented the score of 8.5. This is one of the few dramas that actually sticks its landing and ends on a very high note.


Completed: 7/9/2024 - Review #459

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Watch this for Liu Xue Yi but not for a tightly-written mystery plot.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

I went into “In Blossom” blind without reading the synopsis or watching the trailer. All I knew is that Liu Xue Yi is the male lead and that’s the only reason I need. LXY did not disappoint, though I think his voice acting could be better. This is not a big complaint because aside from him, the main cast and most of the supporting cast used voice actors. I always appreciate actors dubbing themselves, even though they are not perfect. If you don’t practice, how can you get better, right?

“In Blossom” has a little bit of everything - slow-burn romance, crime investigation/mysteries, action/martial arts and some comedic moments. I do think the drama balances all these elements pretty well. More on romance and mystery in a little bit. I want to comment on the action scenes. I know this is not a wuxia drama, but I feel that the fight scenes are below-average to average. There aren’t too many, but enough for me to wish they are better choreographed and actors fight a little harder and faster. It’s not going to ruin your enjoyment of the drama, but I am a little picky in this area. Comedy is enough to be sprinkled throughout the drama. I enjoy the little comedic moments by the supporting cast, or just a sarcastic remark here and there. Humor brings some light-heartedness to this somewhat serious drama without going over-the-top.

The romance is slow-burn but is developed nicely. ML falls in love with FL again, not because of her looks and wealth, but because of the person inside. They started out as enemies, then frenemies, then partners-in-investigation and eventually partners-in-love. Even though I like the writing of how the relationship is developed and written, I found the chemistry lacking. Liu Xue Yi is only 4 years older than Ju Jing Yi in real life, but when they stand next to each other, LXY looks so much more mature and older. In fact, he seems better matched with the original Yang Cai Wei in the first few episodes and have much better chemistry. LXY and JJY seem more like siblings or best friends when they are bickering. I wonder if it’s because there also seems to be a personality change between the original and the new Yang Cai Wei. The original YCW appears older and more mature, after all she had a really tough life carrying corpses everywhere. The new YCW seems younger and more outgoing and friendly.

That brings me to mystery and crime investigation. There are MANY small investigations in these 32 episodes that tie back to the main plot and mystery. I am usually a fan of how these mini stories, that are not episodic, integrate to the main storyline. But in this drama, there are just way too many, and eventually I lose focus and don’t care anymore. There are also some plot holes and illogical inconsistencies. I do not think the mystery part is tightly written. I feel that if I want to fully enjoy this drama, I need to turn off my brain and not think critically. If you are a big fan and a veteran of crime investigation and mysteries, you might not be satisfied.

The acting as a whole is pretty solid. Liu Xue Yi lives up to my expectations. Ju Jing Yi has a bad rep, but I think she did fine. Not exceptional but also not horrible. 2ML Li Ge Yang might be the weaker of the younger cast.

Lastly, I want to comment on Liu Xue Yi’s wardrobe. He has some beautiful costumes that do not look cheap! You can see the quality of the cloth and the beautiful designs and patterns. Even though Ju Jing Yi’s costumes aren’t bad, I can’t keep my eyes on how handsome and dashing Liu Xue Yi looks. And he looks great both with his down and up in a bun.

I would only recommend this drama if you are a fan of the leads, especially if you are like me, watching this solely for Liu Xue Yi. It’s also not bad if you want a drama that has a good mix of romance and mystery. But if you are picky about tightly written plots, intricate and sensible crime investigation, then you might not find this drama enjoyable.



Completed: 4/8/2024 - Review #425

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Rushed Ending but worth watching for Xu Kai & Tian Xi Wei

There were other costume dramas released at around the same time when “Moonlit Reunion” aired. This drama felt like it didn’t get a lot of buzz compared to a few others. I waited and hesitated to watch due to its lukewarm reception. But, it’s Xu Kai and I have always been his fan. With low expectations, I embarked on this mystical journey and had a great time!


What I Like:

1. Wu Zhen (played by Tian Xi Wei) - I was pleasantly surprised to have a ‘playgirl’ female lead in a costume drama. I was worried that Wu Zhen is another cute and innocent FL who needs to be saved by her man. Luckily, she’s not and she’s actually the cat lord! Wu Zhen is powerful, independent, smart and forward-thinking. She matches evenly with her man, her supporting man and the villains. I love a strong woman who can dress up prettily, beat up some guys, crave attention from her man yet not be afraid to initiate affection.

2. Main Acting - Xu Kai and Tian Xi Wei are both excellent in this drama. Both of them have very expressive, big eyes. Their eyes can convey so much emotion without words being spoken. Their chemistry is pretty good, though I wouldn’t say excellent. Their romance doesn’t give us a lot of sweetness and fluffiness, but the angst was quite good. Hey, both actors can kiss and I appreciate effort, especially a couple passionate ones.

3. Costumes - Set in the Tang Dynasty, I love the elaborate hair designs and accessories, and the colorful hanfu the women wear. To distinguish the mortal world from the demon world, the characters have a different style in their looks. I love both looks and we don’t have crazy, ugly demon wigs for the cast (maybe just some ugly, alien masks for the unimportant demons). Oh, FL has the sexiest ‘pajamas’ I’ve seen in a costume drama. LOL She always sleeps with bare shoulders and arms.

4. Cinematography - Chang’an is always vibrant and lively, no matter which Chinese drama you are watching. “Moonlit Reunion” did a great job in showing the colorful side of Chang’an with beautiful cinematography. Is it as beautiful as “The Longest Day in Chang’An” or “Luoyang”? Definitely not. But I don’t think this is an S-level drama either.

5. Interesting Plot - I like the plot and all the side stories of the drama. I might have liked a little more time in certain areas, but as a whole, the drama keeps me interested throughout the 38 episodes. For the most part, I like the pacing as well except for the last few episodes.

6. Bromance - I love the fun bromance between ‘Grandfather’ snake and Mei Si. An unlikely friendship developed between them, and I actually would like to see more scenes of them, and also with Liu Tai Zhen (Snake lord).


What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:

1. Wu Jun Ting - I love him in all his other roles as the young high schooler or college student who is usually the greenest of flags. I am happy to see him branch out to a very different role here in “Moonlit Reunion”. Having said that, I think there’s room for improvement in his acting when trying to act ‘unkind’. His eyes are too kind and sweet. He wasn’t horrible, but when he’s acting alongside Xu Kai and Tian Xi Wei, he’s not quite up to their level. I hope he continues to try out different roles and improves.

2. Last few episodes - the editing and storytelling are choppy in the last few episodes. I felt like a lot was cut out especially when ML met the former cat lord. Though they try to show us some flashbacks, it doesn’t feel right. The ending was rushed and not properly developed. The great villains are easily defeated. I thought there would be one or two big fights or battles but was sorely disappointed. And hey, where’s the big baby? Never really made an appearance and I was looking forward to meet him.

3. Supporting Cast acting - I love the main acting, but the supporting cast is a mixed bag for me. Yi Da Qian is pretty good as Mei Si, but Wang Jia Yi’s Liu Tai Zhen is a hit-or-misss to me. When she tries to be cold, she appears wooden. The rest of them are good enough but not excellent.

4. Special Effects - The quality is quite inconsistent as there is some really cool CGI, e.g. the tornado of pages for Wu Zi Shu, and a few of the fight scenes and magic. But then, some other scenes do not have the same quality of special effects.

5. Makeup - Tian Xi Wei has beautiful makeup. But I can’t say the same for the male actors. When closeup, you can see the uneven thick white foundation (no smoothing filter on) and whether the guys shave properly. It bugs me everything there's a close up of Xu Kai's handsome face.



Although “Moonlit Reunion” is not a perfect drama, from an entertainment perspective, I had a great time. I like the main leads’ acting, the beautiful costumes and hairstyles, the interesting plot with decent pacing and nice cinematography & music. Despite a rushed ending and other minor criticisms, I am giving this a solid 8.5. I think watching this with low expectations and waiting for the right mood helps with my enjoyment. I’m also glad we have a costume drama that is not a transmigration or a traditional xianxia about the 3 realms. Oh, don't forget there's a small epilogue after the ending credit in the last episode.


Other Random Observations:
1. This drama has the most amicable and sweet royal family.
2. Xu Kai looks tired in a few scenes with big eye bags. 🙁
3. I’ve never seen the flower pinning ceremony at a wedding before.
4. There’s a lot of wind, therefore, a lot of flowy fabric, flowy hair.
5. The kid actors that play the younger versions of the leads are the two of the best. You’ve seen them in many other dramas before, and they are just lovable.


Completed: 10/14/2025 Review #633

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Well-acted, Mature and Dark drama with a controversial Female Lead

At the writing of this review, its MDL rating is at 8.5. I am actually a little surprised that it’s so high. Not that I don’t like the drama, in fact, I really like it. But for the fact that with quite a controversial and flawed female lead, who has made some questionable decisions and said some mean words, I think some watchers might really be put off by her.

“Will Love in Spring” is definitely not a romantic comedy. Death is a central theme, and if this is one of your taboo subjects, do not watch this drama. There are some funny and sweet/fluffy moments. But for the most part, this is a mature, dark, healing drama. It’s a character-driven drama that focuses on our main leads' development and their relationships with family members and each other. This is a mature drama that makes you think.

Li Xian and Zhou Yu Tong have excellent chemistry from start to finish. Their romance is nicely developed from when they first met in high school, to reconnecting again as adults. They had a long and bumpy ride before they hit the final destination in the very last episode. Zhang Jie (FL) is an independent, feisty, outgoing professional woman who still struggles with low-esteem due to her disability. However, at one point, I do find her shenanigans a little repetitive. I also believe many viewers are mad at her during the New Year’s Eve episode (ep 15?). Her actions and words towards Chen Mai Dong (ML) were uncalled for and downright mean. But given what happened that night at home, her past trauma and what she’s gone through in life, I can understand her and choose to have faith in her. What was most disappointing to me is her decision in the last couple episodes. Not being honest with ML about her decision and plans until the very end is more unforgiving to me. They have always had an honest and open relationship from bickering to comforting each other. Why can’t she be honest now? But, I give props to the drama for not crashing and burning in the end. The final episode wraps out everything nicely and gives me closure to Chen Main Dong and Zhang Jie’s story. The conversation they had at the NanPing train station: FL’s realization of her actions and ML’s clear understanding of FL’s personality, strengths and weaknesses, and his explanation and forgiveness, brought me so much comfort and joy. In the end, they found love and learned to love. For romance lovers, let’s not forget to include the fact that this couple is very affectionate and not afraid to display their affections through kisses and hugs. Lastly, Chen Mai Dong is another green flag and only he can balance out Zhang Jie’s energy.

There are so many lovely side characters in this drama. I love the relationship of the siblings. Niao Niao (little sis) is played by the talented child actress, Zhang Xi Wei. What a little firecracker and smartass she is. She brings so much color to the drama. Wu Jun Ting plays the quirky and sweet younger brother, Zhuang Yan. Who has a pet goose and walks it like a dog?? Zhuang Yan! I haven’t seen Wu Jun Ting since “Time and Her are Just Right”. I loved him in that drama and remembered his nice deep voice. I also envy the friendship between Grandma Chen and Grandma Lin. They are the poster children for best-friend-forever friendship. I enjoy the sisterhood between FL and Wang Xi Xia. Wang Peng looks so pretty as the best friend. She looks so much more mature and sexy than in her previous roles. Last but not the least, FL’s mother. I bet she’s another character that many hate. She’s the typical loud Chinese mother, who can’t stop criticizing her children. She’s tolerable but at one point I also want to strangle her. Glad she got a lot better towards the last few episodes. I am not sure if it’s the actress or the character, but she always seems to talk and laugh with a fake smile.

I would love to see more of the funny romance between BFF Wang Xi Xia and the Doc. The Doc is so quirky and adorable at the same time. Their scenes give the drama a more light-hearted touch, as they are hilarious together. I just want more of them.

I am not familiar with the funeral industry or the role of an embalmer. So, I can’t comment on how realistic “Will Love in Spring” is portraying that. It’s not a profession that we see in dramas often, so I am glad to get a peek into ML’s job.

I would recommend this drama to those that love a realistic portrayal of life, struggles, and relationships. The characters in this drama are all flawed and they make decisions that we don’t always agree with. But life is not rosy and we are not perfect. If you don’t mind the topic of death, this is an excellently acted drama. I had a great time watching this, even if I had a roller coaster ride of emotions.



Completed: 5/4/2024 - Review #437

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When Reality crushes your Dreams, Values and Romance

I’m glad that “Rabbit on the Moon” is on Viki now, so that more viewers can watch it. It’s not a perfect drama, but one that I quite enjoy. Reading the synopsis, it sounds like a rom-com (it’s not a rom-com) of two individuals from very different backgrounds met while on vacation, had a short fling and then disappeared from each other’s lives. Of course, they met again and a lot of things happened between them and prevented them from being together. From ML’s profession, to an obsessive and high-powered 2FL and of course, a FL where you really could hate her for her decisions for 70% of the drama.


Plot/Pacing
The drama started out with a bang, aka, a sexy scene. It immediately hooked you in, if you are a romance lover. We saw flashbacks of their little fling here and there. But the drama actually focuses on after they’re back in Bangkok when business is mixed with romance. Compared to other Thai dramas or lakorns, there really aren't too many characters you want to strangle. Well, there is the annoying sister and mother who mistreated FL in the name of love, but more because of reputation, saving face and wanting to look perfect. The women in this drama, female lead Phitcha included, are selfish and manipulative. That’s why it could be difficult to fall in love with Phitcha early on and not drop the drama. But I do think the drama does a pretty good job in showing us the internal conflict and the reason why she makes decisions at the expense of ML, Jira/Jay. When your self-esteem is low and being looked down on by your family, your passion for your career is the only thing that can keep you afloat.. There are comments/complaints on why Jira decided to lose his morals and ‘sell’ himself halfway through the drama. I don’t see him as losing his morals, but a way to show his love for his family and Phitcha, and to plan for the future. It’s not a decision made lightly but it did cross that bottom line he’s been defending all his career. This is a drama with many flawed characters who made decisions you might not agree with. It also shows that life is hard and not rosy. Tough sacrifices and compromises have to be made, and romance might have to take a backseat. With 16 episodes at about 45 minutes each, the pacing is good. I was engaged throughout and there’s enough going on to keep me entertained. I do wish the obsessive 2FL, Annita, didn’t last that long. She took up so many episodes and I would have loved more scenes of Jira and Phitcha. There’s some business talk here and there, mainly about land sales and redevelopment. This also gives the drama a chance to leave the busy city life and takes us to the rural part of Thailand.

Acting
The acting is pretty good all-around, except maybe Phitcha’s dad and Jira’s grandma. There’s no overly dramatic and lakornish acting. Bright (as Jira) and Kao (as Phticha) did a great job. I’ve seen Kao in a few other dramas before and her acting has always been good. I noticed she has a habit with side-eyeing or eye-rolling, which annoyed me just a little bit. As an actress, she can always deliver the emotions and those tears. I’m glad to finally see her in a drama that I like. This is my first drama of Bright, and I’m an instant fan. I’ve put a few more of his dramas on my PTW after watching him here. He’s charming and adorable, handsome and charismatic. You can see how he carries himself very differently when he’s with different people - comfortable with his family and friends, loving and puppy-eyed when with Phitcha, charismatic and sexy when he’s the host. Bee (as Annita) is fabulous as well. What a beautiful and powerful woman! She oozes an energy that sucks up the air in the room when she walks in, and then you see her as this obsessive woman trying too hard to hold onto Jira.

Romance
Great chemistry between Bright and Kao. I would have loved to see a little more lovey-dovey scenes between them and more kisses and hand-holding. We only have a few scenes of the dream-like world they were in on the island when they could truly be themselves and be happy. There’s just too much going on between them that life doesn’t allow them to have too many happy times. Despite what I mentioned earlier that Phitcha could be selfish and takes Jira for granted, I do think she really never outright lies to him. She might have some internal conflicts going on for a little bit, but eventually, she shares what she's going through and the tough choices she is asking Jira to make. Ultimately, Jira is the one that agrees to the deals. Jira is just a lovely male lead. How can you not love a guy who takes care of family and a non-blood related aunty, a pro’s pro in his line of work, and also does things he might not completely want to do but for the sake of his woman? Fine, he could have dialed down on that last kiss with Annita in the last episode, but I am going to interpret that as a final gift to someone who has been nice to him. Think of it as a little final fantasy, because he’s a professional. I really enjoyed Jira and Phitcha’s heart-to-heart honest conversation in episode 8 before Jira leaves. The other romance is a contrast. It’s uncomplicated and cute. Initially, I was worried Ker might turn out to be a very different character. I enjoy the few scenes of him and Maprang. They are just adorable and provided some lightheartedness in the romance department. There are also a few other side plots of the (lack of) romances. Cheating is quite a theme in this drama as well. There aren’t too many funny and comedic moments in this drama. I do enjoy the funny conversation that Jira has with his friends about his relationship questions.

Production
Nothing looks cheap here. The ladies are beautiful and well-dressed. The offices and houses all look grand and modern. The rural scenery is not bad, though I can’t tell from the screen if Jira’s land is really as attractive as they say. Jira has the most varied wardrobe from handsome attire as a host, to casual comfy sweatshirts and pants, to rural t-shirts and flip flops. Well, Bright looks good in anything. But, maybe towards the last quarter of the drama, they realize they needed money, thus, product placements increase! I really don’t need to see a maid cleaning the floor with a smile for 5 seconds a few times, or Eurocake so prominently displayed as snacks.


Overall, I had a pretty good time watching “Rabbit on the Moon”. Having a current MDL rating of 7.3 is way too long, even by non-Thai BL standards. Overall, I think this is a pretty balanced series. There’s enough drama but not super angsty or melo or lakornish, enough romance throughout the drama, with a splash of family drama and business talk. It is by no means a perfect drama and it’s definitely for a more mature audience who can appreciate flawed characters making decisions we don’t agree with.



Completed: 11/16/2025 Review #642

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Finding the right Focus in life but clear enough to see what surrounds you.

“Depth of Field”, a term used in photography, is the distance between the nearest and the farthest objects that are in acceptably sharp focus in an image captured with a camera. (per Wikipedia). As we often focus on what’s right in front of us, we might not be able to see clearly what’s around us or behind us.

In this drama, Konno (kind, honest and determined) helps Hayakawa to be able to see both objects in his life. Let’s not focus on wanting to be liked by putting on a fake smile and persona, forgetting about being honest with yourself, your feelings and what your passions are. At times, the focus of what’s in front and what’s around you are in reverse. Hayakawa was lucky to have Konno to help him navigate the fog in front of him and see a clearer view of what’s most important.

“Depth of Field” is more than just a regular teen romance BL. Yes, there is romance and it was slowly developed and won’t be a focus until towards the end of the drama. Instead, this drama focuses on accepting, liking and being honest with yourself, rediscovering one’s passion, overcoming an unpleasant past and working towards your true passion and dreams. This should be the nearest object of the camera and must be in clear focus. Surrounding all that and being in the farther away distance of the camera, is the romance, the friendship, and wanting to be liked. At the end of the drama, Hayakawa finds the perfect “Depth of Field”.

There are a few moments that really made an impression on me (both positive and negative). I was not a fan of how Hayakawa expressed his anger, frustration and attraction in Konno’s bedroom. I could see where he’s coming from, but still didn’t quite like it. The drama also didn’t explore the aftermath much, and with only a simple apology. On the other hand, when the leads are on the rooftop and the flashback of the “Gross” remark deeply affected me for some reason. My tears started streaming down my cheeks. Oh, I hurt for Hayakawa and his expression was so heartbreaking. No wonder it stayed with Konno all these years.

I strongly recommend “Depth of Field” if you like the slower-paced JBLs. I actually feel that 6 episodes is the perfect length for this drama. This is not typical for me as sometimes I feel that JBLs are too short and J-dramas in general can be rushed and need more episodes. As an adaptation from a manga, the acting is decent and not overdramatic.


Completed: 7/19/2025 Review #605

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Cute Main Romance but with Many half-baked and messy side stories

If I were to rate “Love by Chance” solely on the main romantic story between Pete and Ae, this would have a higher rating. Unfortunately, this drama as a whole is messy and half-baked. There are too many side storylines that were introduced but not properly developed. I call this suffering from having a second season syndrome. These half-baked plotlines might continue in the next season, but this makes the first season full of plot holes.

But I do really enjoy Pete and Ae. They are really adorable together and have great chemistry. Yes, some of their lines are quite cringey, but I can look past that. Pete and Ae are just such good guys that it’s hard not to root for them. Ae is so sweet and kind, and seeing him slowly developing feelings for Pete and trying to understand himself is the most honest way, is a breath of fresh air. Pete is shy and I was worried that I would get annoyed with him in the beginning. I am not a fan of dismissive and passive characters. Thank goodness Pete surprises in a way that, though shy, he’s honest and will speak up and communicate his feelings. Pete and Ae really have one of the healthiest BL teen romantic relationships. They are honest and communicative. They are sweet and innocent in a way, yet the drama does not shy away from showing us that they are hormonal teenagers with desires. I think in that sense, the drama did a pretty good job, BUT only with Pete an Ae.

Unfortunately, the rest of the pairings are so much more problematic. Tin and Can have the second most screen time in their enemies-to-friends/lovers romance. It has a bullying and mean start but in the end, it touches my heart and I was saddened by Tin’s experience and how their story ended at the end of season 1. But I have to sit through their repetitive and annoying banter for a long time. Then we have these half-baked stories - Pond and Chaaim, Type and his never-seen boyfriend/girlfriend, annoying Chompoo, and Pete's ex and money stolen. But the two worst storylines are Tar and Tum. Tar has gone through something horrific but their storyline is an afterthought that has nothing to do with the main plot. It’s very unfortunate that a serious plot is thrown into the drama without proper writing/execution. The other horrible storyline is Good’s experience with the teenager. What the hell is that? Came from left field and was set up so horribly with another ‘toxic’ romance.

Additionally, the acting for the whole cast is pretty below-average. I know most of them are young actors and it’s their first drama. But I can’t just ignore the fact that I cringe at their acting quite often throughout the drama. I like Perth’s portrayal of Ae the best, and he’s my favorite in the drama. Saint’s Pete was hard to watch in the first few episodes, but he got better as the drama goes on. There are also quite a few loud and annoying characters. Ae’s roommate, Pond, is loud and obnoxious. He’s a good guy, but I can only take him with small doses. The annoying high school teenage girl, Choompoo, also gets on my nerves. I can’t stand her character and her high-pitched whiny voice. Luckily, she doesn’t have that much screen time.

If you are a fan of Saint and Perth, then I would recommend this drama for you since this is their first drama. They are really cute and their story is written in a very positive way. Otherwise, I will skip this drama. I also don’t think the introduction of the other characters' story is attractive enough for me to watch season 2 to find out their ending. If I do watch it, it’s because I see Perth looking quite handsome in this supporting role in season 2.


Completed: 6/1/2024 - Review #447

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Deep and thought-provoking conversations & quotes - BUT could be too much and boring to some.

I forgot how I stumbled upon this drama, “Is Love Sustainable?” aka “Jizoku Kanona Koi Desuka: Chichi to Musume no Kekkon Koushinkyoku”. It’s either from the feeds, or as I was browsing through dramas of the male lead, Tanaka Kei, after watching him in Ossan Love. I wanted to see him play a slightly more normal character, not crazy and over-the-top.

I was very impressed with the first episode. It was full of meaningful conversations, great chemistry between daughter and father, and good romantic chemistry between Kyoka and Seita. It has some nice cinematography, and thought-provoking enough for me to be interested in their views of relationships and marriages. But as the story progresses, I realize some of these positives could be negatives for other viewers.

This is a pretty slow-paced slice-of-life drama. The plot is character-driven, and really nothing too exciting happens. There are many wonderful quotes of life and marriages, and a lot of yoga and yoga teachings. I don’t practice yoga, and especially not understanding its deeper meanings and lectures. Dad is a lexicographer and dictionary editor. He loves words! Throughout the drama, you can see him explaining the origin of words and seeing him trying to learn new slangs is quite interesting. All of this could either be very wonderful and interesting, or super boring to the viewers. I was initially impressed but it did get to be a little too much towards the end.

I enjoy watching the romance development of both couples. They are mature, communicative, and have some cute moments. Both couples have great chemistry. The drama also challenges traditional gender roles at home. Not all wives want to be home and are good at doing household chores. It also talks about the difficulty of balancing work, family life and personal time.

Overall, I had a pretty decent time watching “Is Love Sustainable?”. The pace at times is slow and I think 10 episodes are too much, maybe 8 would be better. If you enjoy thought-provoking quotes/teachings and deep conversations, this is the drama for you. But if you like something faster paced and more plot-driven, then I would not recommend this for you.


Other Random Observations:
1. Tanaka Kei is a very normal-looking guy, but there’s something about him that I like. He also looks pretty good in suits.
2. It’s quite interesting seeing a bunch of old guys (dictionary editors) discussing ‘kyun’ and other modern slangs.
3. Who knew match-making services are that involved and comprehensive. They even teach you how to start and carry a conversation.
4. Igawa Haruka (Ortho surgeon) is so beautiful and elegant!
5. Ueno Jury (FL) makes me believe she’s a yoga instructor. Her body type and yoga moves look very legit from my novice eyes.
6. Pleasantly surprised to see a Jdorama (or Asian dramas) to feature a body-positive yoga class.


Completed: 4/27/2024 - Review #434

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Let's talk about Sex with a lot of Sex, Heart and Chemistry.

Subjective Enjoyment Rating: 8.5

This is one of the rare dramas that I think the English title better describes the drama than the original one, at least for the international audience. “Let’s Talk About Chu” focuses on the relationships and sexual experiences of each member of the Chu family. The Chinese title (愛愛內含光) is the name of the Vlog channel of Chu Ai, and focuses on sex education and her ideals on sexual relationships. The title originates from one of the verses of a poem 「曖曖內含光」meaning those with talents and positive traits shine from within (a very loose translation). How do we look past the appearance to find that special person who is right for us?

I had a very enjoyable time watching this short drama. A lot is being covered and was done at a very fast pace. I guess one of its shortcomings is the inability to really delve into the complicated relationships and spend time exploring the backstory of each character. This is also to be expected when we only have 8 short episodes.

At first, I thought this drama is similar to the K-drama “Hit The Spot” as it also has a podcast focused on sex. “Hit the Spot” actually focuses more on the podcast than this drama’s vlog. The vlog also comes at the end of the epilogue of each episode. I watched a few of them and got bored of it. The vlogs were not done in a humorous way and I found them dry and preachy.

Luckily, the actual drama is full of love, laughter and emotional moments. The acting is great and all the characters have excellent chemistry. Ok, maybe the actual acting of the sex act could be better, but that’s totally fine as they’re not porn stars. LOL. Yes, there are many sex scenes, though nothing with full-on nudity. These scenes help tell the story and I don’t find them arbitrary or unnecessary. I like that women in this show are not afraid to talk about what they want in their sex lives. They get frustrated and are not afraid to accept the fact that they’re not happy. The drama also touched on how a past trauma can affect your view of relationships and sex.

Though I am not fully invested in all the storylines, I like most of them.

* Chu Ai and Chou Ping Ke - I enjoyed their story in the beginning. I found Kai Ko (who played Ping Ke) super adorable and hot. How come I don’t remember him being so cute in “Till We Meet Again”? I must have got distracted by the pink hair. However, Chu Ai and Ping Ke’s romance lost steam towards the second half. I think Ping Ke is way too good for Chu Ai. He should have let her grovel a little more.
* Chu Yu Sen and Lee Yueh - They are my favorite! They are such an odd pair, yet they complement each other in a way. Their story is interesting and unexpected and also with a lot of heart. I love the last intimate scene. It’s making love instead of having sex.
* Chu Wei and Lin Shi Chieh - A very realistic story about married life when the initial sparks are gone. How do you keep the romance going and keep working at it?
* Mom and Dad - Not my favorite story not because they’re older, but because it’s boring.
I love that mom is watching BL on GagaooLala but Dad has no personality. I wasn't curious enough to find out if Dad has an affair or not.

Overall, this is a quick and easy watch. It doesn’t have too much time to tell a very deep story. But it touched on issues in various stages/types of relationships.


Completed: 2/4/2024 - Review #400

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Everyday life of a Blind girl + Thai Home Cooking!

This is a recommendation from a fellow MDL’er when I was looking for an easy and light drama to watch. This definitely is one, even though the story is about a blind girl. Most dramas with a lead character with a disability focus on the challenges of everyday life. This one is no exception. However, compared to other dramas, it was not too harsh nor is the focus on really telling us how hard life is. Yes, it did touch upon that a little, but for the most part, this is a slice-of-life drama.

Female lead Taem is a very likable character. She is not overly dependent on her friends, nor is she immune to the challenges of life faced by someone who is visually impaired. Through her monologues (and writing), we learn how she goes about life as a normal person - putting on makeup, learning a new route to work, typing on her laptop (writing articles), doing laundry, ironing her clothes and most importantly, cooking. It actually is very enlightening to learn the effort she puts into every single task with the help of her very patient best friend and with lots of practice. Amongst all these everyday activities, the drama focuses on her love of cooking and how she goes about learning to do that safely.

If you are looking for romance, you will be disappointed. This is a drama about life. The main leads have a lovely friendship and they might have very positive feelings towards each other. But there is no romance. Instead, we get to know a bunch of students in the cooking class. They come from all walks of life, different age groups and socioeconomic statuses, and face different challenges in life. This is a short drama, so it can’t really give each character a lot of screentime. But I feel that I know and care about them enough, especially Boem and the housewife. I really enjoy all the food scenes. The drama showcases simple, home cooked Thai food for your friends and family.. It’s a change from gourmet foods that are usually featured in dramas. The drama is quite educational as well.

But this drama is not without fault. In the earlier episode, I think it was uncharacteristic of Taem to leave her first cooking class without notifying anyone, even if she’s upset. She or her colleagues could have easily said something to the male lead. I guess that set the plot up for the rest of the show. A few car scenes are really fake (crappy green screens). The acting of the main cast is pretty good, but those with minor roles are below average.

Overall, this is a lovely drama to watch. It feels very warm and homey. Definitely recommend it if you are looking for something easy and enjoy cooking scenes. Both leads acted well and have decent chemistry as well.

p.s. I watched this drama on Thai PBS with English subs. https://www.thaipbs.or.th/program/SweetSensory/episodes/93887


Completed: 10/25/2023 - Review #370

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